Question for the Yanks

[Biggles of 266]

As a foreigner, what would happen to me at, say, a football game in America if I didn't stand up and sing along with the national anthem? I was reading the autobiography of a US fighter pilot home from WW2 who didn't sing along with the national anthem at a baseball game and nearly had the shit beaten out of him. Only his medal of honour saved his ass. So then, (coz I've never even heard the american national anthem) what would happen to me when I don't stand up, salute, hand over my heart, sing along etc?

Just curious, I'm always investigating ways to be beaten up in foreign countries. In Japan, I accepted a pamphlet on the street from the terrorist group who put sarin gas in the Tokyo subway coz I had no idea who they were and I was being polite. They were wearing cartoon elephant ears over their brightly coloured caps, fer god's sake! What the hell kinda terrorists get their outfits from Disneyland?

In South Africa I mentioned something about the Australian rugby team over dinner and the entire restaurant (and possibly everyone in Cape Town) instantly added me to their list of people to knife.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to hearing the different answers. I guess it would depend on where I'm sitting. If I'm near the bar, I could probably expect a few cans of beer to be lobbed in my direction. Hey, all part of the charm of football.

Biggles

 

[kurchatovium]

I know a lot of people who don't sing along and nothing ever happens. It more or less depends on who is around you like you said.

 

[JoBelle]

Interesting question.

Having attended a university with a large number of students from other countries, I was surprised I didn't see more of the choice to "sit out" of observing the national anthem at functions such as football games.

There were a few who chose to sit, and they were pretty much ignored. The ones who chose to stand didn't do it because they felt some sense of allegiance toward America. Instead, they stood out of respect for the people around them for whom it was something to be held in a high regard. I tend to think that when in Rome, you do as the Romans do when it comes to matters of culture.

Why would someone choose to take part in an event where they were too repulsed to be decent enough to follow the tradition of the people with whom they were keeping company. There is a difference between choosing to not stand and place your hand on your heart....and snickering and cracking jokes that disrupt the moment. (THAT might get Bubba clamoring to sucker punch you after the game if not during it.)

All in all, I'd say, if it didnt' kill ya to be nice, then why not be nice? *shrug* That and as long as you're not a horse's ass, no one will particularly care.

Jo's $.02

 

[ShiningIce]

It depends upon wether or not ur in the territory of beer bellied ignorant rednecks.

 

[amk714]

I think most people wouldn't pay attention to you, Biggles. In fact, no one can force you to stand and/or sing. Just don't act like a jerk, and you'll be fine. Not all Americans are jingoistic xenophobes. 🙂

 

[asutickler]

Sitting during the national anthem will probably get you nothing more than a few dirty looks.

Standing up and hollering "AMERICA SUCKS!!!" during the national anthem willprobably get you clobbered.

Any questions? 😀

 

[Texas_Tickle]

Sitting during the national anthem will probably get you nothing more than a few dirty looks.

Standing up and hollering "AMERICA SUCKS!!!" during the national anthem willprobably get you clobbered.

Any questions? 😀

I was at a hockey game here in Dallas, and a lot of people did not even stand up for the American Anthem.

I was with my uncle, who surved in Vietnam and Desert Storm, and he just shook his head when he saw people refusing to stand.

Last year, I was in Calgary, catching a hockey game with Calgary VS Dallas, and when they played the American Anthem, the crowd started to boo and "flip the bird" at the American Flag.

 

[slacker2114]

I think as long as you avoid going into a stadium wearing the visiting teams colors, you should be ok.